Private tutor gets 20 years in jail for raping minor in 2021

Pilibhit: A Pocso court in Pilibhit has sentenced a 42-year-old private tutor to 20 years in jail for repeatedly sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl in 2021. The court of additional district and sessions judge (Pocso) Geeta Singh also imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000, which was directed to be paid as compensation to the survivor.Officials said the Class 2 student, who had been taking lessons with the man for around six months, was routinely stripped, molested and raped during tution hours. The crime came to light on Feb 8, 2021, after the girl returned home distressed and narrated her ordeal to her mother, saying that the tutor had threatened to kill her if she told anyone.Following a written complaint by the girl's mother, an FIR was registered under sections 354A (sexual harassment), 354B (criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC and section 4 (penetrative sexual assault) and 5 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of Pocso Act. Based on the survivor's medical examination report and statements recorded under CrPC section 164, IPC section 376AB (rape of a woman under 12 years of age) was later added to the FIR.Public prosecutor Anil Kumar Sharma said the accused was arrested on Feb 9, 2021, and remained in jail after repeated bail pleas were rejected in view of the severity of the crime."After hearing both sides and examining evidence and witnesses, the court on Tuesday (March 11) pronounced the man guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in jail under IPC section 376AB and Pocso Act," said Sharma, adding that the convict was awarded concurrent sentences of three years under IPC section 354B, two years under section 354A, and one year under section 506.In addition to the Rs 50,000 penalty, the convict was asked to pay a cumulative fine of Rs 21,000. The prosecutor said that non-payment of the Pocso penalty would result in an additional three months in jail. The district legal services authority has been directed to ensure the survivor receives compensation from the state govt earmarked for such cases.